COMMISSION HEARS AMBULANCE UPDATE

    The Marshall County Commission met Tuesday morning and heard updates from several departments.
    Highway Superintendent Dustin Hofland reported that crews have been working on blading, signing, and finishing mowing for the season. A bridge replacement project northeast of Britton on the ND border, now being completed as a box culvert, is nearly finished. Highway employees will also attend a training day in Day County focused on blading and gravel work. The board authorized Shari Schock to sign a software license agreement with DWare, and later declared old damaged culverts from the highway department as surplus. Commissioners also approved a supplement to the 24/7 budget and an auto-supplement to the highway budget tied to a completed BIG grant.
    Ambulance Primary Advisor Lori Amerman updated the board on staffing, noting that two new EMTs have begun ride-alongs. She also reported that LPNs and RNs are now eligible to serve on ambulance crews without completing the EMT course. Amerman said she hopes to add three to four more crew members to help cover call time. Commissioners discussed the recent Community Health Assessment, which identified sustaining the ambulance service as the county’s top concern.
    The board also approved signing the LEPC grant and assigned $2.5 million in unassigned general fund cash to county building purposes.
    Two executive sessions were held to discuss personnel matters, with no action taken. Future commission meetings are set for Jan. 6 and 20, and Feb. 3 and 17.
    In zoning matters, a plat was approved in Eden Township for  the Otter Tail Power Addition and in Lake for the Schlekewy Addition. A building permit was approved for Kerry Sturm of Miller Township. 
    The Board was informed of some permits that will be coming through the next few meetings. The Zoning Director will also begin the process of making changes to the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive plan in the coming weeks. The Commissioners established future meeting dates which will be published in the Auditor’s official meeting minutes.